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Fullerton Joint Union High School District

Excellence in Education

Child Find

Child Find: Identifying & Supporting Students with Disabilities

 

The Fullerton Joint Union High School District is committed to identifying, locating, and evaluating all students with known or suspected disabilities who reside within district boundaries, regardless of the severity of their disability or their current educational setting.

This legal responsibility is known as Child Find, a mandate established under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Who is Covered Under Child Find?

Child Find mandates that schools locate and evaluate any student who may require special education and related services. This includes:

  • All Resident Students: Youth residing within FJUHSD boundaries (typically ages 14 through 22).
  • Private & Homeschooled Students: Students enrolled in private schools or home-school programs located within the district.
  • Highly Mobile Youth: Students who are homeless, in foster care, or belonging to migrant families.
  • Students Advancing Grade-to-Grade: Students who are passing their classes but still demonstrate significant learning, behavioral, physical, or social-emotional challenges that may stem from a disability.

How Child Find Works

FJUHSD uses a comprehensive screening and referral system to ensure no student who needs support is overlooked:

  1. Multi-Tiered General Education Supports: Each school site utilizes a Student Intervention Team (SIT) to provide early interventions and academic or behavioral support within general education classrooms.
  2. Comprehensive Assessment: If a student does not make expected progress through general education interventions, or if a disability is suspected, a multi-disciplinary evaluation is initiated to determine eligibility for special education or a Section 504 Plan.

Requesting an Evaluation

Parents or guardians who suspect their student has a disability have the right to request a special education evaluation at any time.

  • How to Request: Submit a written request for an assessment to your student's school administrator or counselor.
  • District Response: Within 15 calendar days of receiving your written request (excluding school breaks longer than 5 days), the District will provide an Assessment Plan for your consent or a written notice explaining the basis for the decision if an evaluation is not warranted.

If you suspect that your student (or a child residing within district boundaries) has a disability that impacts their learning, please contact your local FJUHSD high school administrator or the FJUHSD Educational Services Department.